10 try Bath United stun Somerset RFC

A comprehensive and dominant performance saw Bath United run out 69-0 winners against Somerset RFC at the Recreation Ground this evening.

United got off to a flying start, with winger Richard Lane going over for the opening try after just one minute. A sweeping move down the left wing ended with Lane strolling between the posts, with Sam Vesty duly adding the extras. 7-0

United were showing no mercy, controlling the game from the start, and Ben Loosmore scored the second try after only four minutes following more good play by the backs. Vesty couldn't quite find his angle with the tricky touchline conversion. 12-0.

The crowd at the Rec didn't have long to wait for United's third try of the game, which arrived after six minutes courtesy of second row Jake Oldaker, who powered his way over the line after some good work in the midfield by Vesty and University Scholar Oli Evans. Vesty made no mistake from the tee and added the extras. 19-0.

With United again driving forward toward the visitor's line with an attacking scrum, Somerset showed their determined character to withstand the pressure, turned over the scrum and cleared their lines. United were not to be pegged back for too long though, and came straight back at the visitors from the ensuing lineout.

Somerset was trying hard to get a handle on the game, but they were unable to hold onto the ball, and after United had turned the ball over once again, they spread it wide through the hands, eventually finding Lane who went over for his second in the corner unopposed.

Another driving lineout from United in the 25th minute saw matters get even worse for Somerset as they were reduced to 14 men – Dan Hodge seeing yellow for pulling down the maul. United attacked through the lineout again and Argentinian international, Eusebio Guinazu bundled his way over the line for his first try in Bath colours.

Another electric burst through the midfield by Evans led to Lane's hat-trick try just before the break, as he sped down the wing and touched down in the opposite corner. Vesty's conversion came back at him off the post, leaving the half-time score at 34-0.

Shortly after the start of the second-half, Lane raced over for his fourth try after a great break away by captain Guy Mercer, with Vesty adding the additional two points to take the score to 41-0.

Prop Dan Sergeant barrelled his way over from close range to move the game further out of Somerset's hands, before Loosmore ran over for his second try of the evening to take the score past 50. Vesty's reliable boot saw another conversion sail between the posts and keep the scoreboard ticking over.

The final ten minutes of the game saw big smiles from Ben Loosmore as he secured his hat-trick and United's ninth try of the night, following a great turn of pace to sprint 40m away from the Somerset defence. 62-0.

And it was left to front row Tom Dunn to have the final say of the night, scoring the 10th and final try of the evening after throwing an outrageous dummy and sprinting 20 metres or so to dive over. Vesty made no mistake with a conversion from right in front of the posts with the last kick of the game.

Somerset showed good spirit throughout the game, refusing to give up and at times playing some good rugby with the ball in hand and going forward, but the night really belonged to the United boys who were strong, committed and cohesive for the full 80 minutes.